As integral members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, Home Support Workers / Personal Care Attendants are responsible for providing support to clients in all aspects of daily living through companionship, physical, spiritual and psychosocial care. Through the use of classroom instruction, skills development laboratories and supervised practicums, the HSW/PCA program provides students with the necessary skills to work with clients of all age groups across a variety of settings.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the HSW/PCA program, students will be able to:
1. Utilize a problem solving approach to provide assistance and support that promotes the physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual health and well-being of residents, clients and families.
2. Communicate effectively with clients, residents, families and other members of the health care team.
3. Contribute to promoting and maintaining a safe environment for self, clients, residents, family and others.
4. Work in an ethical, responsible and accountable manner, maintaining safe, competent practice.
5. Support the dignity, uniqueness and fair treatment of residents, clients, family and others.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to the Home Support Worker / Personal Care Attendant program requires the applicant to meet one of the following criteria:
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate
2. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III)
3. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the educational prerequisites for this program, are
21 years of age or older, and have been out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements.
Applicants must also:
1. Provide an acceptable certificate of conduct, including vulnerable sector check (Canada wide police check current within two months of the first scheduled day of classes for the program).
2. Submit a preadmission ‘School of Health Sciences Student Information and Program Awareness Form’ including verification that the applicant has met immunization requirements and TB screening as required for the industry.
In addition to the above, please note:
1. Computer skills are required to be successful in the HSW/PCA program. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants possess basic computer skills including keyboarding, use of word processing software programs, data base software programs, utility software programs, e-mail and internet. Applicants not possessing these skills will be provided assistance through the College as needed.
2. Students will be expected to incur costs associated with completion of external certification courses (Standard First Aid/CPR Level HCP and Canadian Restaurant & Foodservices Association, National Food Safety Training Program).
